Ledyard's 0.86% increase budget going before voters on May 17

Thursday

A proposed budget that increases spending 0.86 percent will go before Ledyard voters in a May 17 referendum.

A proposed budget that increases spending 0.86 percent will go before Ledyard voters in a May 17 referendum.

The $49.1 million spending plan was approved unanimously by the Town Council on Wednesday. It includes $29.6 million in education spending and $19.5 million for general government expenses.

Finance Committee Chairman James Diaz said the tax rate necessary to fund the budget has not been determined because of a property revaluation and the uncertainty of revenue collections.

“For me to quote a mill (tax) rate now would be premature,” he said Thursday.

The way in which all sectors of town government and residents came to together was impressive, Diaz said. The budget fully funds retirement obligations and includes a $2 million “buffer” for health care costs.

“We didn’t throw anybody overboard to produce this thing,” the chairman said. “In my eight years in government this is the best budget I’ve seen.”

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